Guidebook for Washington
Food Scene
Great local brunch though there is a wait if you arrive after 10:45AM. Recommend the almond scone, Emperor's pancakes, and Ham and grits (pancetta and polenta)
45 locals recommend
Leopold's Kafe Restaurant
3315 Canal St NWGreat local brunch though there is a wait if you arrive after 10:45AM. Recommend the almond scone, Emperor's pancakes, and Ham and grits (pancetta and polenta)
World-class prix fixe French menu and white wine list. Reservations required and $$$$
27 locals recommend
1789
1226 36th St NWWorld-class prix fixe French menu and white wine list. Reservations required and $$$$
A formal Georgetown dinner of game including duck, hen, quail, lamb. Also recommend the salmon and chocolate soufflé
14 locals recommend
La Chaumiere
2813 M St NWA formal Georgetown dinner of game including duck, hen, quail, lamb. Also recommend the salmon and chocolate soufflé
Voted best brunch in town. I recommend the burger or croque monsieur
513 locals recommend
Le Diplomate
1601 14th St NWVoted best brunch in town. I recommend the burger or croque monsieur
Mai Thai
1200 19th St NWGreat local Thai food for a low-key night
Popular brunch spot with creative drinks and organic food. Reservations required weeks in advance
86 locals recommend
Farmers Fishers Bakers
3000 K Street NorthwestPopular brunch spot with creative drinks and organic food. Reservations required weeks in advance
Slipstream
1333 14th St NWHip, DC-based coffee shop with Wifi
Classic American food and awesome blueberry soda in a Oprah-chef-owned hotel
6 locals recommend
Art and Soul
415 New Jersey Ave NWClassic American food and awesome blueberry soda in a Oprah-chef-owned hotel
Malmaison
3401 Water St NWGreat local coffee spot anytime with brunch on weekends
Where to go for a weeknight business dinner or more formal weekend dinner, followed by the W for dinks
75 locals recommend
The Hamilton
600 14th St NWWhere to go for a weeknight business dinner or more formal weekend dinner, followed by the W for dinks
Baked & Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson St NWLocal coffee shop with free wi-fi and a cult following
Classic brunch and the best wifi around, though slow to initially connect
86 locals recommend
Le Pain Quotidien
660 Pennsylvania Ave. SEClassic brunch and the best wifi around, though slow to initially connect
Table
903 N Street NorthwestBest locally-sourced restaurant in town. A must go if in the area.
Union Market
1309 5th St NEGreat market w/ a great biscuit shop and fresh fishery
For a a cosmopolitan dinner, happy hour or brunch w/ a West Coast feel
14 locals recommend
FIG & OLIVE
934 Palmer Alley NWFor a a cosmopolitan dinner, happy hour or brunch w/ a West Coast feel
Drinks & Nightlife
Wine and tapas and the it spot right now for 20 and 30-somthings
322 locals recommend
Barcelona Wine Bar
1622 14th St NWWine and tapas and the it spot right now for 20 and 30-somthings
Best view in town of the White House, Washingotn Monument, and US Treasury view from a rooftop bar
55 locals recommend
W Washington D.C.
515 15th St NWBest view in town of the White House, Washingotn Monument, and US Treasury view from a rooftop bar
J.Paul's
3218 M St NWQuick, classic bar food or brunch when looking for something near the apt.
Best whiskey bar in town, for those who want to experience a night in the life of a lobbyist
123 locals recommend
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
2007 18th St NWBest whiskey bar in town, for those who want to experience a night in the life of a lobbyist
Arts & Culture
National Gallery of Art
Constitution Avenue NorthwestTour the classic American art and new sculpture gallery
Great French impressionist art; museum charges unlike the National Gallery; go early as it gets busy
224 locals recommend
The Phillips Collection
1600 21st St NWGreat French impressionist art; museum charges unlike the National Gallery; go early as it gets busy
A fun experience with a James Bond theme. Tickets are ~$20 though unlike the free Smithsonian museums.
231 locals recommend
International Spy Museum
700 L'Enfant Plaza SWA fun experience with a James Bond theme. Tickets are ~$20 though unlike the free Smithsonian museums.
9:30
815 V St NWBest music venue in the U.S., and I'm a veteran
Everything Else
AMC Georgetown 14
3111 K St NWThe movie theatre down the street with IMAX
A must see when in town. Ice-skating in the winter, cocktails in the summer
219 locals recommend
Georgetown Waterfront Park
3100 K St NWA must see when in town. Ice-skating in the winter, cocktails in the summer
Educational tour of the Nation's capitol. Tickets are required in advance!
314 locals recommend
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave SEEducational tour of the Nation's capitol. Tickets are required in advance!
Washington Sports Clubs
3100 14th St NWA great gym with visitor option
SoulCycle
601 Massachusetts Ave NWFor those who need to spin
Entertainment & Activities
Pinstripes
1064 Wisconsin Ave NWBowling for a rainy day; also family friendly
See a ball game if it's baseball season. It is a great new park and the outfield restauarnts and bars are worth the visit.
455 locals recommend
Nationals Park
1500 S Capitol St SESee a ball game if it's baseball season. It is a great new park and the outfield restauarnts and bars are worth the visit.
Sightseeing
The White House South Lawn
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NWA must see and photo opp. when in town
Excellent, free national zoo with diverse animals inside and out - adorable panda bears!
771 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave NWExcellent, free national zoo with diverse animals inside and out - adorable panda bears!
Visit the world-class University including the chapel, sports arena and library
106 locals recommend
Georgetown University
3700 O St NWVisit the world-class University including the chapel, sports arena and library
Rent a bike via Capitol Bikeshare and dock at any red station in town!
211 locals recommend
Capital Bikeshare
Rent a bike via Capitol Bikeshare and dock at any red station in town!
Essentials
Dean & DeLuca
3276 M St NWLocal groceries, though not inexpensive